7/18/10 Are diesels still worth the extra money?

[bighawg]

What do you think? With the diesel option being a 6000 to 10000 dollar option and the increasing horsepower and miles per gallon of the new gas burning engines, not to mention the fact that diesel is 20 to 30 cents a gallon more expensive than diesel, is it worth it?

 

[bighawg]

Don't think I would ever buy a new one. The cost of these things is getting outrageous. The new gas burners are really starting to make a lot of sense. Good performance and mpg, plus several thousand dollars still in your pocket.

 

[btfarm]

To me it is. But then that's me... More for the super long life than anything else. Do the math over 300 or 400k miles. It pencils out. And a diesel will still out pull any of the gassers.

 

[bighawg]

To me it is. But then that's me... More for the super long life than anything else. Do the math over 300 or 400k miles. It pencils out. And a diesel will still out pull any of the gassers.

Are you really going to keep it that long? Probably not, least not me. Don't get me wrong I love a diesel, everything I own is a diesel except the bike and my wife's Expedition. I have diesel tractors, lawn mower and trucks but the price just seems to get higher and higher, while the performance numbers on the gas burners climb as well.

 

[Acesneights1]

Gassers...PATOOIE!!!!

 

[great white]

As mentioned, the problem with diesels and recouping the premium paid over the price of a gas truck is the amount of time the vehicle is owned.

Typically, the average owner will get rid of the truck before they realize any savings over a gas powered truck.

Now, if you're putting outrageous amounts of mileage on the vehicle (hotshot, etc) the situation tends to swing the other way.

 

[truckie481]

I'm four + years in and 106,700 miles on the OD and I still get a chubby when I fire her up, I'm nocking down 18 mpg with just normal wear and tear, she pulls the camper like a dream and looks good doing it. Yes I'm a diesel head for ever.

 

[whitetrash21]

I sure as shit ain't putting my dump trailer behind a gasser. With a 3800lb empty weight, you can guess what it'll gross out at and as good as the new gassers are getting, I don't think they have the balls to haul that.

Like truckie said, I love driving it, sound of it, mileage and the fact I can yank a crapload of weight around and still show any ricer or pony ride whats up. Lasting 300k miles ain't an issue for me, I usually blow something up before then and have to rebuild anyway.

 

[great white]

well, if you need the diesels specific advantages for work, sure. makes perfect sense.

Same if you have a use for it recreationally and can afford the high initial outlay.

But if you're talking cost comparison as a regular vehicle, it won't even out for a long time making it not a fiscally feasible alternative.

 

[btfarm]

I plan on at least 300k. I drive 120/day and as soon as we move to the other place it will be 145/day. I pull 16k from time to time with the loader tractor on and I've hauled close to 20k in firewood a few times. (both incl 3k for the trailer). I heat the new home with wood so that won't change.
Could I go lighter duty? Yes. Will I? Not planning on it.
At 18 mpg and 7k+ I'll keep it over a gasser any day. Even If I decided to go new the resale is much higher. Not to mention I really like the new GMC HDs.
And most of all, as Mick said, I still, to this day, get a thrill when I get behind the wheel (hell, even just looking at it). I've never liked any vehicle this much.

 

[trouttrooper]

Another part of this issue that leans in the diesel favor is no more big block gas. I like the GM 6.0 engine, but for serious towing it's going to be slow and hard on mileage. It still impresses me after driving the patrol rig to get in the '05 beast and feel the power from the 496. Climbing the hills in overdrive where the 6.0 has to drop 2 gears.

IMO one reason the diesel engine option is getting so high is there is no big block option for "competition". Your pretty much forced in getting the diesel option if you tow anything beyond a couple ATV's.

 

[Ed HD]

Those who have bought diesels in the past will continue to, IMO, because of whatever reason. Whether it's a diesel fleet, so you get the fuel cheaper, or it's the power, longevity, whatever. We had a 03 6.0 gasser, and the Duramax is all around a better truck, especially with the Allison. I don't think my dad will get a gas truck next time around unless he sells the farm or something. I think a gasser would overheat or blow up doing what we do with our Duramax.

 

[john65td]

you can't beat the sound and smell of a diesel. the turbo spooling up it just sounds killer.smokin out a ricer making him look bad is priceless. do i need a diesel? no i only tow occasionaly but its just the thrill of driving one that makes me want it. i got bit by the diesel bug when my first diesel a 1985 suburban with a 6.2 was givin to me and i have been hooked ever since i hate gas ill never switch. to off set fuel cost i am currently running veg oil diesel mix. in what gas can you burn veg oil or tranny fluid? ya can't only in a diesel can you make your own fuel!

 

[WarWagon]

I sure as shit ain't putting my dump trailer behind a gasser. With a 3800lb empty weight, you can guess what it'll gross out at and as good as the new gassers are getting, I don't think they have the balls to haul that.

Like truckie said, I love driving it, sound of it, mileage and the fact I can yank a crapload of weight around and still show any ricer or pony ride whats up. Lasting 300k miles ain't an issue for me, I usually blow something up before then and have to rebuild anyway.

A gas engine will pull it. Just sucks a lot of fuel.

well, if you need the diesels specific advantages for work, sure. makes perfect sense.

Same if you have a use for it recreationally and can afford the high initial outlay.

But if you're talking cost comparison as a regular vehicle, it won't even out for a long time making it not a fiscally feasible alternative.

A daily driver diesel vs a work diesel is the answer.

Daily driver: the initial cost and higher parts upkeep (filters and lots of oil.) make diesels more expensive than gas. You can buy a tanker truckload of Premium grade gasoline for your daily driver Gasser if you have bad luck with water in your diesel fuel or other engine failure. (3000 Gal of gas is less than the the cost of a ruined Duramax engine.) Start/stop of city driving will add up in batteries and starters.

Yet, towing and towing for work just 1 MPG better adds up quick.

Sadly, the EPA is going to force diesels to be so clean that the MPG will suffer and make the price/performance gap smaller. The CAFE requirements make that 1 MPG valuable despite the cost passed on to you. Yay government!

After all lots of work trucks are still gassers. The modern rev it up for power vs. low speed power of the past big block is hard to get used to.

 

[simpleman]

EPA doesnt worry me. I hear the talk over and over again. EPA crap installed end user removes it. Gas truck would be cheaper for me(when im not hot shotting) but I still like it.

 

[Marauderer]

Owning a Diesel truck is more that just the money. When there are long gas lines you can still pull up to the diesel pump and fill up. If there isn't any fuel available you can stock pile diesel. You can run fuel oil for the furnace and kerosene if times get rough. Also, there are us folks that just love the sound a diesel engine makes and are willing to pony up the extra difference to have that experience.

 

[Dieseldad97]

I'm a Diesel guy. Period. Been this way for many years. I voted buying used, because I just don't have the income for a new truck.

 

[BudTX]

With all of the smog crap, it is not worth it in a new truck.

 

[DieselCash]

I vote used, I will also never be able to afford any new truck for a long time.

 

[SfcJones]

I plan on driving mine, rebuild it and drive it again....5 years old and at 305k miles it still runs sweet.